Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, identified the suspected smugglers as Cyprien Bahire, 31, Emmanuel Ngabonzima, 31, Emmanuel Ndungutse, 32, Aminadab Iradukunda, 26, and Placide Uwiduhaye, 21.
They were arrested separately in Kigina and Nyamigari sectors, he added.
“Police, acting on a tip-off from residents, first arrested Iradukunda and Ndungutse in Kanogo village, Gatarama cell of Kigina sector, with two bales but they disclosed Bahire as the rightful owner. Bahire was also arrested,” SP Twizeyimana said.
Other bales were recovered from Ngabonziza and Uwiduhaye in Nyamigari.
SP Twizeyimana commended the role of communities living along the borderlines in fighting cross-border crimes such as smuggling and drug trafficking.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Nyamugari station for further investigations.
In article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Amb. Claude Nikobisanzwe has revealed that the flights to be operated by RwandAir are expected to stimulate an increase in the volume of business between the two countries which have recently strengthened cooperation in the political and commercial areas.
The flights are expected to commence in the first week of August.
Currently, Mozambicans travelling to Rwanda are not required to present a visa while Rwandans are necessitated to do so.
According to Club of Mozambique, the envoy has said that Rwanda would also like to see entry into Mozambique for its citizens eased, particularly as Mozambicans do not need a visa to enter Rwanda.
“I would like to say that our Rwandan airline will start direct flights from Maputo to Kigali, which will boost the movement of people and goods and stimulate trade. In principle, it will be in the first week of August. Mozambicans who have a normal passport can travel without needing a visa. We are in discussions with our counterpart, to see if we cannot have the same facility for Rwandans,” Amb. Nikobisanzwe explained.
Rwanda and Mozambique have cooperation in different areas particularly in defence matters where Rwanda sent troops to fight terrorists in the country’s Cabo Delgado Province.
Both parties are undergoing discussions for the possibility to exchange goods through the port of Nacala.
“We believe that the port of Nacala, with its deep waters, can help in this cooperation. We believe that trade between African countries can generate employment for African peoples, particularly Mozambicans, and contribute to all countries’ economies,” said Amb. Nikobisanzwe.
Recently, a delegation of 120 Rwandan entrepreneurs attended the Mozambique-Rwanda Business Forum to tap investment opportunities in the country.
Under existing relations, Mozambique currently exports sugar, ores and other mining products to Rwanda, but both parties want to see an increase in exports.
Lt Col Mbonimpa and Major Kalisa serve in the Air Force and Special Force regiments respectively.
The graduation ceremony took place on Monday 4th July 2022 at Joaan bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies in Qatar and coincided with Rwanda’s Liberation Day.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Qatar, Igor Marara has via Twitter handle posted pictures of the two officers at a graduation ceremony.
Amb. Marara said that the ceremony is a new step ‘in the materialization of the strong military cooperation between Qatar and Rwanda’.
The ceremony was also attended by leaders in RDF including Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, the head of International Military Cooperation and Lt Col David Mutayomba, the Chief Instructor at Rwanda Military Academy.
Rwanda and Qatar enjoy cooperation in different areas including investment.
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Joint Operations of the Qatar Armed Forces, Maj Gen Ibrahim Juma Al-Malki Al-Jehani came to Rwanda last month for a three-day visit between 27th and 29th June 2022.
He was received by RDF Air Force Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Jean-Jacques Mupenzi and visited Rwanda Military Academy in Bugesera District.
FERWAFA had announced his suspension on 20th June 2022 ‘due to issues of accountability falling under the scope of his work’.
In a statement posted via Twitter handle on 5th July, the local football governing body has announced that the suspension has ended.
Muhire worked as a sports journalist at Flash FM between 2006 and 2011 before joining Annamalai University in India where he obtained a Master of Arts in Population Studies and Development.
Muhire became FERWAFA Secretary General early January this year replacing François Regis Uwayezu who stepped down from his position in October 2021.
The duo include Henry Kwami Anyidoho and Joseph Narh Adinkra who held the rank of Major General as they served under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (MINUAR) during Genocide against Tutsi which took lives of more than 1 million victims.
Gen Henry Kwami Anyidoho served as MINUAR Deputy Mission Commander and Commanded Ghanaian contingent under this mission while Gen Joseph Null Andinkra was a commanding officer of Ghanaian battalion.
The ceremony was held on Monday 4th July 2022 as Rwanda marked the 28th Liberation Day.
The National Order of Bravery (Indengabaganizi) is conferred to an individual or group of individuals who, in an exemplary way, demonstrated outstanding supreme acts of self-sacrifice in saving the life of one or many people.
Both Generals are commended for exemplary leadership and unfailing bravery where they ordered forces to continue protecting civilians who fled to them when other countries had withdrawn troops.
Maj Gen Anyidoho expressed delight to have received the medal as Rwanda celebrates the 28th Liberation Day and dedicated it to heroes who paid their ultimate price to liberate Rwanda as well as Ghanaians and Rwandans who lost their lives.
“At the time, the United Nations in new York was contemplating the decision to close down its mission in Rwanda in view of the deteriorating security situation. I said to myself as an African General who played a role in the mission, we cannot turn our backs on Rwanda.
I said, this is time that Rwandans need us the most. I therefore sought and obtained the approval from the Government of Ghana to retain a residual force to assist in addressing the deteriorating security situation in whichever way possible,” he said.
Gen Anyidoho also commended Rwanda’s remarkable progress for the past 28 years and Rwandans for leaving the past behind to move together along the development journey.
He said that the experiences of Rwandans also left lessons to the whole world which should prioritize peacekeeping as a pillar for development and advised African countries to always strive for peace irrespective of whatever differences.
President Kagame hailed the courage of the retiring soldiers for having chosen to stay in Rwanda instead of abandoning civilians who fled to them.
He revealed that the award presented to them did not come by accident as it was planned for long.
“I congratulate you, and thank you for your dedication and commitment. Where others fled or were withdrawn by their governments, leaving Rwandans to their fate, these officers remained and continued to lead their men and women, and did what was right to do,” he said.
“Through you, I convey our deep appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana for this decision. The Ghanaian battalion saved countless lives, under the most difficult circumstances. And there is no soldier involved who does not carry invisible wounds in his heart, to this day. A genocide produces no heroes. Simply doing one’s duty required exceptional courage, like these Generals did. Most failed the test. These officers did not,” added Kagame.
Ghana has around 850 troops deployed under MINUAR during Genocide against Tutsi.
The Model village constructed by Rwanda Defence Force in partnership with other Government Institutions was handed over to 48 families on 4th July 2022 as Rwanda marked the 28th Liberation Day Celebration.
The Model Village consists of residential houses, Groupe Scolaire Munini that includes Primary and Secondary school as well as Early Childhood Development Center (ECD) and other welfare support facilities.
Prime Minister Ngirente also inaugurated Munini Hospital in Nyaruguru District as well as the newly constructed asphalt road Huye-Kibeho-Munini.
While addressing residents, Premier Ngirente said that Rwanda’s achievements in the last 28 years were visible in different sectors including socio-economic, unity, leadership and security; thanks to the great effort and collaboration between citizens and their leaders at different levels.
He underscored that the journey of liberation is a long way to go and urged the citizens to deploy efforts to achieve more.
The voluntary and humanitarian act saw over 140 Rwandan Police peacekeepers of Formed Police Unit-One (FPU-1) and the Protection Support Unit (PSU) donate at least 450 millilitres of blood, each.
The life-saving act graced by MINUSCA Head of Police Component, Commissioner of Police (CP) Christophe Bizimungu, was part of the week-long blood donation exercise to mark the World Blood Donor Day, launched on June 28.
According to MINUSCA leadership, the blood donated by the peacekeepers will “contribute to helping accident victims, sickle cell patients and especially children suffering from anaemia and malaria.”
“This is a huge contribution and human security effort of saving lives,” CNTS leadership said.
Jean De la Croix Rukundo, 24, was arrested in Nyamata bus-park with a television screen, decoder and other accessories as well as money amounting to Rwf96,000, which he allegedly stole from his employer, Jean Damascene Rugumire of Gashora, where he was working as a house-help, since last year.
The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said the suspect was reported by suspicious people at the bus park in Nyamata town.
“People at the bus park got suspicious and called the Police when they saw Rukundo with a TV screen, decoder and other accessories, which they suspected to be stolen,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “After his arrest, Rukundo revealed that he stole them from the home of one Jean Damascene Rugumire of Gashora, where he was working.
The victim was informed but he (Rugumire) also disclosed that the suspect had also stolen money amounting to Rwf96,000, which was also recovered from Rukundo.”
Rukundo was handed over to RIB at Nyamata station for further investigations.
SP Twizeyimana thanked the people, who provided information leading to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of stolen items.
“Quick sharing of information when a crime is committed or reporting anything suspicious helps in timely response and recovery of stolen items as well as arrest of suspects,” he advised.
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
The Head of State made the disclosure during an interview with RBA on Monday 4th July 2022 as Rwanda celebrated the Liberation Day.
He revealed that the issue of Kinyarwanda-speaking citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was ignored until they formed armed groups including M23 to stand for their rights.
Kagame stated that Rwanda shared views regarding the durable solution when M23 was attacked and defeated in 2013.
“There was a crisis in 2012. I think. And this crisis drew in all kinds of countries and regions including international institutions like the UN, big countries, powers that decide on many things. And they made one mistake which we pointed out at that time, that such matters are not resolved by force of arms, they don’t require more military solutions, they require more political solutions,” he said.
“They ignored what we were telling them. They just fought the so called M23 without even understanding why it was born and how it came to be, defeated it and the remnants fled to countries, mainly, one group went to Uganda and another group came to Rwanda,” added Kagame.
Despite the military defeat, the Head of State said that Rwanda kept reminding them that a political solution still needed to be applied to address their matters but nothing was done.
Kagame underscored that Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese are citizens of the country where their presence in DRC should neither be blamed on Rwanda nor on Congo.
“How they became citizens of Congo cannot be blamed on Congo or cannot be blamed on Rwanda. […] How do you attain one point, just decide that you are going to declare people no longer citizens of their countries?” he wondered.
If their issues are not properly addressed, the Head of State observed that ‘the same people will always find ways of pushing back, fighting back and making sure that they belong to somewhere’.
“Saying that they belong to Rwanda is a big mistake because they have been in Congo all the years, and know Congo as their country,” he noted.
For the past few months, DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 as the fighting between the rebel group and FARDC erupted.
However, a report released recently by UN experts on security issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seemed to contradict the country’s accusations that Rwanda supports M23.
The UN report indicates that sources from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) do not point out any involvement of foreign countries in the resurgence of M23.
The EJVM is a mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) composed of military officers from the 12 member countries that is charged with monitoring and verification of border violations between DRC and neighbouring countries.
During a recent interview with DW ; the Spokesperson of M23, Maj Willy Ngoma said that the rebel group M23 didn’t receive any support.
He disclosed that some of used weapons were kept in their hideouts after defeat in 2013 while others are bought from Congolese soldiers or seized during the ongoing fight.
The report indicated that ‘the resurgence of M23 was fuelled by failure to implement peace accords of 12th December 2013’.
It also reads that M23 held talks with DRC Government but were called off in September 2020.
The negotiations had prompted M23 to release a statement announcing that dialogues between the regime of President Tshisekedi were promising to yield good results.
It further reveals that M23 had not resumed fighting until November 2021 when it launched an attack on FARDC military position that saw the rebel group killing soldiers and stealing arms, military uniforms and telecommunication gadgets.
The experts went on explaining that M23 plotted more attacks on FARDC bases in Rutshuru one month later and January 2022. Since then, the report indicates that M23 attacked more regions including Tshanzu, Gisiza, Ndiza and Runyoni.
President Kagame has said that those accusing Rwanda of supporting the rebel group raise false allegations.
He however blamed the collaboration between MONUSCO and Congolese Army which teamed up with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) during clashes with M23.
FDLR is comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who have been plotting different hit and run attacks on Rwanda.
Kagame was appearing in RBA interview on monday 4th July 2022 as Rwanda celebrated the Liberation Day.
He made the revelation following concerns by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which claimed that Rwanda should not join regional troops to be deployed in the country to fight armed groups.
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group in clashes with Congolese Army (FARDC) but Rwanda repeatedly rejected the allegations and urged Congo to solve its internal problems without dragging it into the war.
Recently, the third conclave for regional heads of state was held in Kenya to find a lasting solution to security issues in eastern DRC.
The meeting also discussed resolutions of Regional Chiefs of Defence Forces held on the previous day on 19th June to agree on deployment of joint forces to DRC.
During the meeting, DR Congo Armed Forces (FARDC) Chief of General Staff, Gen Célestin Mbala Munsense told counterparts that Rwandans should not be part of joint regional forces ‘because the country supports M23’.
The deployment of joint forces is expected this July or August.
Delivering a speech as DRC celebrated Independence on 30th June this year; Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said that troops to be sent to his country will come from countries having good relations with DRC.
Tshisekedi insisted that he successfully defended his decision of boycotting Rwandan troops from landing on DRC’s land.
During an interview with RBA today, President Kagame has revealed that the issue of M23 requires political solutions other than sticking to military forces.
He insisted that accusing Rwanda of supporting the rebel group is baseless and maintained that the country would be happy if the joint regional force is successful in eliminating elements posing security threat.
“[…] If this force gives guarantees to Rwanda that no more shelling from Congo by either Congolese or FDLR because they have eliminated them; why would I be opposed to that?” he wondered.
“In fact, I am very happy that this can be done without our involvement because getting involved is a cost to us. So, why would I incur the cost when somebody says I am ready to do it for you? I have no problem with that,” Kagame added.
